Here’s a curated list of Gold Coast events you can plan a 2026 holiday around, plus a few easy options for quieter weekends.
Bayview Beach Holiday Apartments sits in Biggera Waters by the Broadwater, which makes a calm base for event weekends, with plenty nearby when you want to head out.
2026 Events Calendar
Use this quick list to find the dates fast, then scroll to the details.
- January: Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping (Main Beach), 11 January 2026
- January: Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale (Bundall), 13 to 18 January 2026
- February: Laneway Festival Gold Coast (Southport), 7 February 2026
- March: Gold Coast T100 Triathlon Festival (Gold Coast), 21 to 22 March 2026
- May: Blues on Broadbeach (Broadbeach), 14 to 17 May 2026
- July: ASICS Gold Coast Marathon (Gold Coast), 4 to 5 July 2026
- August: Pacific Airshow Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise), 14 to 16 August 2026
- August: Gold Coast Show public holiday (Gold Coast), 28 August 2026
- August: Gold Coast Show (Southport), 28 to 30 August 2026
- October: BLEACH Festival (Gold Coast), 1 to 11 October 2026
- October: Groundwater Country Music Festival (Broadbeach), 16 to 18 October 2026
- October: Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 (Surfers Paradise), 23 to 25 October 2026
- Weekly: HOTA Farmers and Artisan Markets (Bundall), Sundays 6:00 am to 11:30 am
- Weekly: Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets, Wed, Fri, Sat 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
January To March Highlights
These early-year events bring the buzz, but it’s still easy to balance big days out with relaxed Broadwater time back at Biggera Waters.
Magic Millions Polo and Showjumping (Main Beach)
A lively summer day out combining polo, showjumping, fashion, and a big event atmosphere by the coast.
Date: Sunday 11 January 2026
Why it’s worth it: Polo and showjumping with a big summer crowd.
From Bayview: Easy drive from Biggera Waters. Free secure undercover parking for one car, 2.00 metre height limit.
Family Friendly Note: Best for older kids.
Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale (Bundall)
A behind-the-scenes look at Magic Millions week, where top thoroughbred yearlings are showcased and sold.
Dates: 13 to 18 January 2026
Why it’s worth it: A major Magic Millions week, busy and interesting to watch.
From Bayview: Bundall is close. Go early, park once, and keep the day flexible.
Family Friendly Note: Better for adults and older teens.
Laneway Festival Gold Coast (Southport)
A one-day music festival with a strong line-up, food stalls, and a high-energy crowd in a compact venue setup.
Date: Saturday 7 February 2026
Where: Southport Sharks, Southport
Why it’s worth it: Live music and a one-day festival buzz.
From Bayview: Southport is close, but it gets busy. Arrive early.
Family Friendly Note: Check age conditions and entry rules.
Gold Coast T100 Triathlon Festival (Broadwater)
Elite triathlon racing with great spectator viewing along the water, ideal if you want to pop in for an hour or stay longer.
Dates: 21 to 22 March 2026
Why it’s worth it: Elite racing with great viewing around the Broadwater.
From Bayview: The Broadwater area is close, so it is easy to dip in and out.
Family Friendly Note: A strong pick when you are searching for Southport Broadwater Parklands events.
May To July Highlights
As the year moves into cooler weather, the calendar shifts to music weekends and big spectator days.
Blues on Broadbeach (Broadbeach)
A free, multi-day blues festival with stages across Broadbeach, which suits a wander and listen weekend.
Dates: 14 to 17 May 2026
Why it’s worth it: Live music across Broadbeach over four days.
From Bayview: Straightforward drive. Plan transport for late nights.
Family Friendly Note: Easier earlier in the day.
ASICS Gold Coast Marathon Weekend (Southport)
A major winter sporting weekend with a festive atmosphere. It’s a great setup for cheering runners, people watching, and soaking up the energy.
Dates: Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026
Why it’s worth it: A big weekend for spectators and atmosphere.
From Bayview: Southport is close, but expect road closures and extra traffic.
Family Friendly Note: Plenty of viewing spots for cheering.
August Highlights
August brings the big crowd favourites, so it’s worth planning the practical bits like timing, shade, and transport.
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)
High-impact aerobatics and aircraft displays over the beachfront, with entertainment on the sand and crowds all weekend.
Dates: 14 to 16 August 2026
Why it’s worth it: Aerial displays over the beach with on-sand entertainment.
From Bayview: Close to Surfers, but it will be busy. Pack water, sun protection, and a hat, and arrive early.
Family Friendly Note: A strong choice with kids.
Gold Coast Show Week Planning (Southport)
A classic showgrounds day with rides, showbags, animals, and live entertainment, ideal for a full family day at the parklands.
Dates: 28 to 30 August 2026
Public holiday: Friday, 28 August 2026.
Why it’s worth it: Rides, showbags, animals, and entertainment at Broadwater Parklands.
From Bayview: Southport is close, but expect crowds around the parklands.
Family Friendly Note: A classic full day out.
October Highlights
October is packed with arts, music, and major weekends, so it’s a strong month for anyone building a Gold Coast events list around a headline day out.
BLEACH Festival (Gold Coast)
A coastal arts festival with performances, installations, and creative sessions across multiple locations along the Gold Coast.
Dates: 1 to 11 October 2026
Why it’s worth it: Arts and culture sessions across the Gold Coast.
From Bayview: Check the program and group sessions by area.
Family Friendly Note: Many sessions suit families, but not all.
Groundwater Country Music Festival (Broadbeach)
A relaxed, walkable country music festival with live stages, outdoor sets, and a friendly Broadbeach street festival atmosphere.
Dates: 16 to 18 October 2026
Why it’s worth it: Live music across Broadbeach with an easy festival atmosphere.
From Bayview: Simple drive. Plan parking for evening sessions.
Family Friendly Note: Suits couples and older kids.
Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 (Surfers Paradise)
Three days of Supercars racing on the Surfers Paradise street circuit, with big crowds, entertainment, and high energy race day atmosphere.
Dates: 23 to 25 October 2026
Why it’s worth it: Supercars racing across three big days.
From Bayview: Road closures are common around the circuit, so allow extra time.
Family Friendly Note: Plan breaks for kids.
This Weekend’s Ideas
On quieter weekends, markets are an easy answer for things to do on the Gold Coast this weekend, with flexible timing.
Gold Coast Markets This Weekend
Markets on the Gold Coast are a simple outing.
Why go: food, small makers, gifts, live music, and a stroll by the water
Budget cue: Free to Low (you choose what you spend)
Family tip: markets are an easy win when you need quick kids’ activities on the Gold Coast without tickets or strict timing
Two Reliable Favourites
HOTA Farmers and Artisan Markets(Bundall)
- When: Sundays, 6:00 am to 11:30 am
- Why go: fresh produce, great coffee, and an easy morning stroll by the lake
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
- When: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Why go: classic holiday vibe, evening browsing, and beachside people watching
If you are building a list of Gold Coast markets, these two cover morning and evening, and they are easy to fit around your beach time.
Family Tips
Family weekends run smoothly with a simple plan. Choose one main event, then leave space for swims and easy meals. Bayview has self-contained apartments and a calm Broadwater location for downtime between big days.
A few local tips that make a real difference:
- Plan one highlight per day. Events are fun, but back-to-back big days can feel like a lot.
- Use the Broadwater rhythm. A morning walk by the water, then an event, then a quiet evening works well for families.
- Keep driving simple. Bayview provides free secure undercover parking for one car (2.00m height limit), which is handy when you are coming and going on event weekends.
- Pack light, but pack smart. Sun protection, water, and a poncho for summer storms can save the day.
- Bring the beach basics. Bayview notes complimentary beach gear is available, which is handy for beachside markets and Surfers days.
If your main goal is things to do on the Gold Coast for families, pair one major event weekend with a few easy outings like markets, parklands time, and a relaxed afternoon by the Broadwater.
End the Day Back by the Broadwater
When you check what’s on the Gold Coast in 2026, the best weekends tend to come in waves. Summer brings colour and energy, winter has the big spectator days, and October is packed with arts, music, and racing.
Choose the events that suit you, then keep space for market mornings, Broadwater walks, and easy beach time. That breathing room is what keeps the trip relaxed, and a self-contained Bayview Beach Holiday Apartments stay in Biggera Waters gives you a calm apartment to come back to after the crowds.
Image credit: Laneway Festival Gold Coast